Hong Kong · Visa & entry
Hong Kong visa rules
Hong Kong has its own immigration system, separate from mainland China. Many nationalities are visa-free up to 90 days. Crossing between Hong Kong and the mainland is treated as crossing an international border.
Visa-free stays — typical durations
- United Kingdom: 180 days.
- United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand: 90 days.
- EU (most members), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland: 90 days.
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei: 90 days.
- Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia: 14–30 days.
- South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, most Latin American countries: 14–90 days depending.
The HKSAR Immigration Department maintains the full list at immd.gov.hk. Confirm before booking.
What you need at the border
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your stay.
- Onward ticket (sometimes asked for, not always checked).
- Address of stay in Hong Kong (hotel name + booking confirmation, or host's address).
- Proof of funds in some cases (rarely asked).
What you don't need
- A visa, if you're from a visa-free country and staying within the visa-free window.
- A separate Chinese visa (this is a frequent confusion). The Chinese mainland visa system does NOT apply to Hong Kong entry.
Crossing to and from mainland China
Hong Kong and mainland China are separate immigration jurisdictions. Crossing requires:
- A valid Chinese visa (or visa-free entitlement for the mainland — different list from Hong Kong's).
- An exit stamp from Hong Kong + an entry stamp into mainland China.
- The reverse on return.
Major crossings: - **Lo Wu / Luohu** — by metro from Sheung Shui (Hong Kong East Rail Line) to Luohu Shenzhen. - **Lok Ma Chau / Futian** — Hong Kong East Rail to Lok Ma Chau, walk across to Futian Shenzhen Metro Line 4. - **West Kowloon HSR** — high-speed rail from Hong Kong to Shenzhen North (14 min) and onward across China. - **Shenzhen Bay** — by direct cross-border bus. - **Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge** — by direct cross-border bus from Hong Kong International Airport or Tung Chung.
Working in Hong Kong
Visa-free entry does NOT permit work. To work in Hong Kong you need an employment visa, sponsored by an employer. The General Employment Policy and the more recent Top Talent Pass Scheme cover most professional roles. Setup time: 4–8 weeks.
Studying in Hong Kong
Student visa required for study programmes longer than 90 days. Apply via the Immigration Department after acceptance to a Hong Kong institution.
Refused entry
Rare for ordinary tourist arrivals from visa-free countries. Possible reasons: insufficient funds visible, no onward ticket, prior overstay record, named on a watch list. The right of refusal rests with the Immigration Officer at the border.
Overstaying
Overstay penalties in Hong Kong include fines and possible detention. Contact the Immigration Department before the visa-free period expires if you need an extension.